Each month, the Clarence Youth Board and Youth Bureau will provide information addressing current issues pertinent to youth and families. February’s topic: divorce.

When parents go through a divorce, the impact on children can vary. This month, we’d like to provide different strategies that can help kids to cope with this type of change in their lives at several different age levels.

Strategies for children from 6 to 11 years old — Elementary school children can feel extreme loss and rejection during a divorce, but parents can rebuild their child’s sense of security and self-esteem. Start by having each parent spend quality time with the child, urging the child to open up about her feelings. Reassure the child that neither parent will abandon him, and reiterate that the divorce is not his fault. Likewise, parents should not blame one another for the split, but explain that it was a mutual decision. It’s also important to maintain a regular visitation schedule as kids thrive on predictability, particularly during times of turmoil.

Sources: divorcesource.com; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Medical Association.